I Want To Know Christ..

Kunnil Wilson

Philippians 3:10-12 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Saul, a Tarshish man who had been killing those who followed the Lord, one day, if he saw any of these men or women in Damascus, took authority from him for the churches there to arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem. As he traveled and approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; God caught Saul. Even today, many Sauls are being made God's servants by shining the light of God. So God commanded Saul, who was captured by God, from today you go and preach about me. So when he changed from his Jewish name of Saul to become the Lord's disciple and apostle, we later find Saul using his Greek name, Paul. Apostle Paul. God himself was transformed.

He was caught by the Lord when he was about 36 years old. At the age of 68, he was beheaded by order of the Roman Emperor Nero and placed in front of his beloved author. He wrote his epistles between AD 47 and AD 64. AD 47 Galatians, AD 49-51 First and Second Thessalonians, AD 52-56 1st and 2nd Corinthians, AD 60-62 Ephesians, AD 60-62 Philemon, Colossians, AD 62 Philippians Timothy, Epistle to Titus AD 63-64 2 Timothy. So we can see from the title of the epistles that 13 epistles were written by this apostle Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews is also generally believed to have been written by Paul. Thus 14 books have been written by this servant of God. God has given us very durable articles for the church. Among these, the epistle to the Ephesians, the epistle to Philemon, the epistle to the Colossians, and the epistle to the Philippians were written for the first time while Paul was in a Roman prison. The second epistle to Timothy was written by Paul while he was in a Roman prison for the second time. The epistle to the Philippians in which our verses are written was written during his first imprisonment. Paul in this prison for Christ's sake. Paul's last words. Being in a lot of trouble. Paul was about 63 years old. Later in his life he was able to live for a very short time. Emperor Nero committed suicide on June 9, AD 68. Paul completed his fifth missionary journey in AD 67. Paul was executed in May or early June AD 68, shortly before Nero's death.

Paul in this prison for Christ's sake. The words of the servant of God in the last days of Paul's life. Life is very hard and difficult. Paul was about 63 years old. Now in a Roman prison. Many questions crossed Paul's mind. 6 types of questions:

1. Why are you suffering?

2. Do you need it?

3. Aren't you educated?

4. Don't you have Roman citizenship?

5. Don't have a good fortune?

6. Not in good standing in society?

Philippians 3:4-6 Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Why do you suffer in spite of all this? Paul was born of Jewish parents. But since he was born in Tharsis, in the Roman province of Cilicia, he also received Roman citizenship by birth. Is it enough to say that you are a citizen? Answer Verses 7 and 8: But all things that were gain to me I have counted as loss for Christ's sake. Nay, I still count all things as rubbish because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. Everything counts as rubbish for his sake. Philippians 1:21 To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. It is not because of the situation, but because of a person that everything is left behind and counted as garbage. Above all, one is found. When the superior was found, the inferior was discarded. 32 years ago at the gates of Damascus, the light that flashed around, Jesus Christ the Savior who spoke to him through that light. Who is this Jesus to you today? Paul says I leave all these things for his sake. Are we willing to give up something for this Jesus? What is the reason for this, Paul? You must somehow be resurrected from the dead. That is my desire. I had a lot of wealth. But one day I will die. After death, I can't remember. Lie with Satan for all eternity in that wormless, unquenchable hell. These wealth, these titles, these educations, this health, these family glories, nothing will help me.